The Times of Harvey Milk

The Times of Harvey Milk

Directed by Robert Epstein • 1984 • United States

A true twentieth-century trailblazer, Harvey Milk was an outspoken human rights activist and one of the first openly gay U.S. politicians elected to public office; even after his assassination in 1978, he continues to inspire disenfranchised people around the world. The Oscar-winning The Times of Harvey Milk, directed by Robert Epstein and produced by Richard Schmiechen, was as groundbreaking as its subject. One of the first feature documentaries to address gay life in America, it's a work of advocacy itself, bringing Milk's message of hope and equality to a wider audience. This exhilarating trove of original documentary material and archival footage is as much a vivid portrait of a time and place (San Francisco's historic Castro District in the seventies) as a testament to the legacy of a political visionary.

The Times of Harvey Milk
  • The Times of Harvey Milk

    Directed by Robert Epstein • 1984 • United States

    A true twentieth-century trailblazer, Harvey Milk was an outspoken human rights activist and one of the first openly gay U.S. politicians elected to public office; even after his assassination in 1978, he continues to inspire disenfranchised peop...

Extras

  • THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK Commentary

    The following audio commentary features director and coeditor Robert Epstein, coeditor Deborah Hoffmann, and photographer Daniel Nicoletta. Originally recorded in 2004, it has been remastered by Criterion to include new material.

  • Jon Else on THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK

    In this 2011 program, filmmaker Jon Else, director of the UC Berkeley documentary program, takes a closer look at director Robert Epstein’s THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK.

  • Harvey Milk: Two Films, One Legacy

    Director Robert Epstein and producer Richard Schmiechen’s THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK has carried the torch on behalf of Harvey Milk since its release in 1984. In 2008, Gus Van Sant’s MILK introduced his story to a new generation of viewers. In this 2011 program, Epstein, Van Sant, actor James Franc...

  • Harvey Milk Speaks Out

  • THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK: Postscript

    The following comments by political consultant Tory Hartmann, gay rights activist Bill Kraus, Harvey Milk aide Anne Kronenberg, and auto machinist Jim Elliot were considered for the conclusion of THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK but ultimately not included in the film.

  • THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK: Amber Hollibaugh Interview

    During preproduction on THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK, director Robert Epstein recorded draft interviews with more than forty people before deciding on the eight subjects seen in the film. Presented here are excerpts from an interview with writer and activist Amber Hollibaugh, which was not included i...

  • THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK: Bob Ross Interview

    During preproduction on THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK, director Robert Epstein recorded draft interviews with more than forty people before deciding on the eight subjects seen in the film. Presented here are excerpts from an interview with activist and publisher Bob Ross, which was not included in the...

  • THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK: Cleve Jones Interview

    During preproduction on THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK, director Robert Epstein recorded draft interviews with more than forty people before deciding on the eight subjects seen in the film. Presented here is an excerpt from an interview with gay rights activist Cleve Jones, which was not included in th...

  • THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK: Hank Wilson Interview

    During preproduction on THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK, director Robert Epstein recorded draft interviews with more than forty people before deciding on the eight subjects seen in the film. Presented here are excerpts from an interview with gay rights activist Hank Wilson, which was not included in the...

  • THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK: Lillian Sing Interview

    During preproduction on THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK, director Robert Epstein recorded draft interviews with more than forty people before deciding on the eight subjects seen in the film. Presented here are excerpts from an interview with San Francisco judge Lillian Sing, which was not included in th...

  • THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK: Scott Smith Interview

    During preproduction on THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK, director Robert Epstein recorded draft interviews with more than forty people before deciding on the eight subjects seen in the film. Presented here are excerpts from an interview with Milk’s longtime boyfriend Scott Smith, which was not included ...

  • THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK Castro Premiere

    THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK had its San Francisco premiere on November 1, 1984, at the Castro Theatre, where it was introduced by writer Vito Russo. Excerpts from that event are presented here.

  • THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK at the Oscars

    Three months after its San Francisco premiere, THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK won the Academy Award for best documentary feature, and director Robert Epstein and producer Richard Schmiechen were there to accept the award. Excerpts from that event are presented here.

  • The Dan White Case: News Clips

    After serving five years in prison, former San Francisco supervisor Dan White was released. Two years later, on October 21, 1985, he committed suicide. His trial continues to be a source of controversy. Presented here is a series of news clips about White.

  • The Dan White Case: 2003 Panel Discussion

    After serving five years in prison, former San Francisco supervisor Dan White was released. Two years later, on October 21, 1985, he committed suicide. Presented here are excerpts from a 2003 panel discussion with his attorneys, Douglas Schmidt and Stephen Scherr, and deputy district attorney Jim...

  • Harry Britt, Harvey Milk’s Successor

    Harry Britt was appointed to succeed Harvey Milk as supervisor; a human rights activist like Milk, he was then elected for five more years. The following is an excerpt from a speech Britt delivered at a 2003 event marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of Milk’s assassination.

  • Harvey Milk Candlelight Memorial

    Every year since Harvey Milk’s and Mayor George Moscone’s assassinations, people have joined together on November 27 to honor them. On the twenty-fifth anniversary, in 2003, former teacher and longtime San Francisco supervisor Tom Ammiano and the late mayor’s daughter Rebecca, both featured here,...